Joe Jones

Imagine a café facing a waterfront. Then imagine Jessie and Georgia (who have 160 or so years between them) holding court for the customers at the "regulars'" table. Georgia, the luscious cook, reigns from the kitchen. Willie, Jessie's gay grandson, moons over his new love as he bakes the specialty of the day. Listeners can leave the rest to Barbara Rosenblat, who delights in telling of the lives in these pages. Rosenblat's craft in reading is a security blanket for the listener: You know that every character is true to the author's wishes and that Rosenblat will never let go of the center of each individual. You feel a part of the entire production and carry the joy of having heard it . . . maybe forever. J.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

May 1, 2004
Jessie's Caf, a tired waterfront restaurant, provides the focus of this latest Lamott novel. Jessie inherited the caf years ago and at 79 visits daily, chattering away to her mute friend Georgia. Life is hard for the frequenters of Jessie's, and their attempts to cope form the story line. Louise, the cook and mother figure, misses Joe, her faithless former lover whom she threw out, and he still pines for her. Willie, Jessie's gay grandson, tries to stay away from drugs after his lover takes a job in a distant city. Then Louise meets Eve and invites her to the caf . Alone and suffering from a terminal illness, maybe AIDS, Eve joins the "Caf family," bringing a quiet dignity as she copes with her failing health. Lamott's characteristic humor shines through the pain. Although this book lacks the more defined plot of Lamott's earlier works (Blue Shoe and Rosie), listeners will enjoy the warmth, love, and compassion these imperfect people display. Barbara Rosenblatt, one of the most accomplished audiobook narrators around, reads with clarity, making each character distinctive. Recommended for large public libraries.--Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.